Stompin’ Tom Connors thought he had preserved his place in the great Canadian songbook when he rhymed about tobacco pickers, miners, long-haul truck drivers and tomato farmers. Yet it was in writing about hockey that he ensured his legacy would never be forgotten, at least for the thousands of Canadians who populate our country’s arenas every weekend to watch their kids ply the ice in our national obsession. This past weekend some of Jasper’s 7–9 year old citizens, the Novice Bears, made the trek south to Banff to take part in an end-of-season tournament to see how they match-up against Calgary’s finest in the “Good Old Hockey Game.”
In four games over two days, the Bears created some all-Canadian moments that would make Connors proud, like Darius Stenlund’s first goal of the season. He picked up a pass from linemate Nash Hilworth and labelled it like he was scoring all season. And what about Owen Kearnen? He’s a natural blue liner, but decided to try on the pads for a few games. Owen was outstanding, with only three goals against in two games played and some crazy saves. Jacob Bartziokas scored two goals for the tournament, an unusual output for the Bears’ stay-at-home defenseman. This got his mom cheering wildly from the stands, and fueled the Bears’ two victories. And what about the passing plays? Everyone in the stands loves to watch the creativity of Sebastian Golla on the ice. He passes, he stops rushes, he scores goals. Count Noah Carter, Sarah Hayashi and Colten Thomas among his teammates that got open and got chances.
Stompin’ Tom loved the rough edges of the Canadian experience. Talk to Janelle Tank who got her first career penalty for tripping on her opening shift of the “A” final game. It’s never fun when the ref points his banded arm at you Nelly, but its part of the game you play so well. And don’t forget hard-working, fast-skating Lucas Prud’homme. He got to the front of the net dozens of times, but couldn’t find the handle. It’ll come, as it will for Apollo Hardman and Jake Hynatiuk, two talented newcomers who didn’t find the scoresheet this weekend, but who play the game smart and hard. Bright futures ahead.
And of all things that Tom loved, it was Canadian ingenuity. Last weekend, the Bears defense was doing stuff that had coach Jim Koss scratching his head. Blue-liner Michael Hayashi would hang back while defensive partner Baden Koss attacked the oncoming rush. If Baden didn’t stop it, Michael was sure to, for a two-pronged defensive wall that stymied every opponent they faced.
All in all it was a classic Canadian weekend, worthy of a catchier lyric than I can write. A team of small town kids from rural Alberta enter a big-city tournament as the dark horses against some confident Calgary squads. They tied two, won two, and came away as tournament champs.
Stompin’ Tom penned another, less-well-known song about hockey, called “My Hockey Mom.” Here he recounts his mom getting him out of bed early for a game, while his father was off to work. Years later he sings of his father’s pride and his mother’s tears as he lifts the cup. Tom got the emotion right, but it actually doesn’t take that long. We’re going to miss you Stompin’, there are many more stories to tell.
